concordances, and both are situated in the exercise of the mind or the natural disposition of the same. The second, drifting toward the bodily condition, is of a coarser, yea, even baser substance, and has as its subject all that which has been given by the highest wisdom for the maintenance of nature to man, common with all unreasoning beasts, or is even burdened by it, which one can easily observe to be (to speak discreetly of this) in the entrance and exit of food for bodily maintenance. Regarding the first part, which is set in the play or exercise of the mind, and is closest to our best part, the Soul, I do not wish to discourse upon it further, both because it does not serve our purpose earnestly, and because it has already been dealt with long and broadly enough by all excellent writers. Likewise regarding the second, fearing to cause anyone nausea or other watering, I shall make it as brief as possible. I only seek to set before your eyes the common error, which seems to have drawn all people so far today,

LETTER OF TRANSMISSION,

that all our intent, all our diligence, and labor is directed to nothing other than the consumption and celebration of this aforementioned entrance and exit. There is no one so far removed from natural reason who will not allow all moderate pleasures, in both the one and the other; but also, on the contrary, no one so hardened in his outward intent who will not concede that the less one daily torments oneself with such anxiety, the more worthy it is for all people; yea, what is more, the more pleasant and enjoyable: and this is the reason which has brought me, and also compelled me, to the drafting and writing of this little Cookbook, so that with less trouble, with less vexation, and less loss of time, everyone could find some small pots, sauces, sausages, and dainty dishes according to their own refined sense, lust, or taste. If one must then feast or carouse, do it in God's name: but do not squander all your precious and irrecoverable time so shamefully in the research of the same. Look, it stands here clearly, and do not trouble your head so much with it: here